Frequently Asked Questions

National cost guides put new asphalt driveways at about $5 to $12 or more per square foot (HomeGuide) and $7 to $15 (Angi). HomeGuide lists a 400-square-foot driveway at $2,000 to $4,800. Removal, base repair and apron work change the total; your signed proposal is the price.

The City of Kettering makes property owners responsible for the sidewalk, curb and drive approach next to their property. The City inspects sections on a roughly 20 to 25 year cycle and marks squares that need replacement with white paint.

Kettering's residential construction guidance says driveway extensions need a zoning permit, plus an Engineering permit if the apron or curb in the right-of-way changes.

Both work in Ohio. Asphalt costs less up front, flexes a little with frost and is easy to patch, but needs sealing every few years. Concrete has a higher price tag but asks for less routine care over its life. Many Kettering homes have asphalt drives with concrete aprons.

Roughly from spring into fall, when ground and air are warm enough for hot mix to compact. Snow usually falls from November to March. We give estimates year-round.

Published cost guides put the typical life at 15 to 30 years. A solid base, drainage, sealing cracks in the fall and sealcoating every few years push it toward the long end.

An overlay works only when the base is sound. Many Kettering driveways have several old layers and soft spots underneath, and new asphalt over them cracks in the same places.

Usually one to two days of work, plus a few days before you drive on it.

Not necessarily. If it is sound, we tie into it. If the City has marked it or it is broken, replacing it is the owner's responsibility and involves a City permit.

Typically 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over 6 to 8 inches of compacted gravel for cars; more for heavier vehicles. The numbers are in your proposal.

Yes. The concrete is removed, the base rebuilt and new asphalt paved.

Kettering's guidance says driveway extensions need a zoning permit, plus an Engineering permit if the apron or curb in the right-of-way changes.

Not if it is built to the same depth on the same base and tied to a clean saw-cut edge.

Yes, on a pad built thicker for the load, with a board under the jack in hot weather.

If the existing drive is worn out, yes. One base and no seam.

Under Kettering's repair program, white paint marks squares that need replacing. You can hire your own contractor or let the City's contractor do the work.

The property owner. If the City's contractor does it, you can pay in cash or through a property tax assessment with interest and a county fee.

A City right-of-way permit obtained before work, insurance naming the City, a bond, completion within 30 days and a final City inspection.

Asphalt and concrete move differently. Water gets into the seam and freezes. Sealing it every fall helps.

Every few years is typical; HomeGuide gives a range of 2 to 10 years.

We mask the apron, walks and garage slab to keep sealer on the asphalt.

No. Cracks are filled or sealed first; the coat protects the surface.

HomeGuide lists 12 to 72 hours depending on weather and shade.

Late summer and fall, before freeze-thaw season.

It is a winter stopgap. A lasting repair uses hot mix over a rebuilt base.

HomeGuide puts a typical pothole repair at $100 to $400, with minimum service fees of $100 to $250.

Patches start darker. Sealcoating evens the color.

Yes. That joint opens as asphalt and concrete move differently. We clean it and seal it with flexible material.

Usually in part. We phase the work and keep an entrance open.

Yes. Restriping triggers the 2010 ADA Standards according to the Department of Justice.

Cost guides cite 4 inches or more for commercial and heavy-wear areas.

In Kettering, work in the public right-of-way needs a City right-of-way construction permit before work begins.

Yes. After a lot walk, we can lay out crack sealing, patching, sealcoating and restriping by year so you can budget.

Yes, on overlays, so the new surface still drains into the basins.